Windows recently announced the release of its brand new product in the smart phone category- a product quite colorfully code named Mango. Technically, the phone will be using the upgraded version of the Windows 7 operating system: tentatively called Windows 7.5 as of now.
Windows Phone 7 Mango
With its release due sometime during the final quarter of 2011, let’s find out what this juicy looking upgrade actually amounts to:
Tight Clamp Down On Hardware Specifications:
Sighting the difficulty to update ubiquitous, divergent devices, Microsoft has decided to introduce stringent control on the phone’s hardware specs.
Unlike its predecessor which allowed for two kinds of hardware specifications; the familiar 400 X 800 touch screen (called the Chassis 1) and a 480 X 320 screen with a hardware keyboard (the Chassis 2). It’s another matter, of course, that the Chassis 2 never managed to find its way into an actual shipped product. In any case, the Chassis 2 has officially been put to sleep. Instead, a slightly tweaked version of the Chassis 1 specifications will be used in its place. 400 X 800 pixels is apparently the only supported resolution as of now.
Windows Phone 7 Mango Software:
The preceding version’s operating system simply being called Windows Phone 7, Microsoft has decided to up the branding quotient by re-christening the underlying operating system Windows Phone OS. So, basically, a Windows Phone device (the Mango) will be using the Windows Phone OS.
Moving on to the more technical, the Mango will be using Silverlight and XNA versions 4 support (contrast this with the earlier avatars using versions 3). Even better, while the previous generations used Silverlight support solely for apps, and XNA support only for games; the Mango takes the trouble to integrate the two. This should be of special interest to developers who will now be able to juxtapose and jumble the two together.
In addition, Silverlight 4 also improves on the user interface, performance and third party copy paste functions. Like the Windows 7 phone, Mango also comes with integrated Windows Live Messenger ID, Xbox LIVE and the Bing search engine. On that account, the upgraded version brings enhanced notification and location services for those features to the table.
With well improved support for Asian languages, the Mango seems well set to take International markets by storm.
Windows Phone 7 Mango Processor:
Instead of the original specifications for a 1 GHz or faster ARMv7 Cortex or Snapdragon processor, the Mango is supposed to be powered by the Qualcomm ARMv7 processors which run at an average speed of 800 MHz.
While the downsizing of processor speed won’t affect the performance of the device; at least, that’s what Microsoft’s saying right now, what this means on a practical level is the possibility of a somewhat lower price.
Mango phones will come with a DirectX 9-capable graphics processor; while the outdated Adreno 200 will be replaced by the newer Adreno 205 version.
Windows Phone 7 Mango Storage:
According to Microsoft, the Mango comes up with a RAM of 256 MB or higher (512 MB being the most common spec for shipped devices), the flash storage; disappointingly enough, is stuck at a resolute default capacity of 8 GB.
Windows Phone 7 Mango Multi Tasking:
Although the Windows Phone 7 did support multi tasking, it had a distinctly step-motherly attitude towards the feature. That is to say, multi tasking would only operate for the phone’s internal apps.
With the Mango phone, Microsoft has extended multi tasking support for third party apps as well. Besides, with enhanced ‘app resume’ capabilities, skating back and forth between multiple apps should be a cinch on this phone. Also brag worthy is the extended support for background running functionality and the ability to create alarms and reminders in case of third party apps.
Windows Phone 7 Mango Web Browser:
Mango phones come bundled with the Internet Explorer Version 9, a move that’s all set to give Android and Apple phones a run for their money. For users, this means an increased compatibility with existing web sites, and a richer web browsing experience.
Windows Phone 7 Mango Newer Services:
Earlier, Facebook was the only social media web site that came integrated with the Windows Phone. That is all set to change with the release of the Mango, because Microsoft and Twitter (finally managing to resolve mutual differences) have tied up to integrate Twitter services into the phone’s OS.
Also hot off the press, is the fact that Skype will be making its debut on the Windows phones platform.
Windows Phone 7 Mango Tiles:
Last but not the least; we come to the much loved ‘Tiles’ feature of Windows phones. Existing users will be happy to know that the feature will be very much intact on the Mango. If anything, tiles will be more intelligent, more animated and more useful than ever before.
Microsoft has decided to increase the maximum number of live tiles that can be added to the home screen from 15 to 30. What’s more, Mango phones will support multiple tiles for the same app: a feature that sure does promise to be exciting!
To top it all off, let’s just say that this feature-laden baby is all set to become a right little bundle of joy.
Tags: Mango, Microsoft, Mobile Phone Reviews, Windows Phone, Windows Phone 7, Windows Phone 7 Mango, Windows Phone 7 Mango review
